Director, Patient Advocacy

Some opportunities happen only once in a lifetime
– like a job where you have the chanceto change lives.

At Alexion, people living with rare and devastating diseases are our Guiding Star.

We are driven to continuously innovate and create meaningful value in all we do to help patients and families fully live their best lives.

We value the uniqueness and diversity of our employees and recognize that nurturing the diverse perspectives and strengths of our people translates into innovative breakthroughs for patients.

This is what you will do: Alexion’s Global Patient Advocacy (GPA) seeks an experienced and highly motivated Patient Advocacy Lead for Canada.

This role may also involve the possibility to drive and/or support patient advocacy initiatives on a regional and global level.

Reporting to the Head of Global Patient Advocacy, you will drive engagement and collaboration with patient advocacy groups in Canada across the company’s portfolio.

You will develop and implement strategic programs and partnerships and contribute to championing the patient perspective within the company.

The Patient Advocacy Lead will be responsible for driving, building and enhancing strategic engagement with both disease-specific patient organizations and their umbrella groups, as well as other rare/ultra-rare disease-oriented organizations and other relevant stakeholders in response to patient needs and in support of Alexion’s global patient advocacy and medical objectives and related strategic goals.

Critical to Alexion’s clinical development programs in Rare Diseases, you will also contribute to ensuring the meaningful engagement of patients and patient advocacy groups in these programs.

The Lead will work cross functionally within Alexion to ensure our engagements are robust and focused on improving patients’ access to potentially life transforming therapies, and advancing national/local/regional patient advocacy organizations’ awareness and education to enable patient access to such therapies.

Key internal partners include Medical Affairs, Clinical Operations, Government Affairs and Market Access, Marketing, Corporate Communications, Regulatory, Legal and Compliance.

By linking the external and internal environments, you will actively help position Alexion as a leading patient-focused rare disease biotechnology company and progressive thought leader that can be a valuable resource for patient advocacy organizations and other key disease-specific stakeholders.

You will be responsible for: Maintain and enhance relationships with patient advocacy organizations from across the different therapeutic areas of interest to Alexion and other patient advocacy and relevant allied stakeholder organizations; identify emerging area partners and build new relationships Serve as a primary point of contact for patient advocacy groups in Canada and work cross-functionally to coordinate and manage regular communications to ensure productive and constructive partnerships Gain an in-depth understanding of patient care and the stakeholder ecosystem in Canada and ensure patients are at the center of what we do Educate internal stakeholders about the role of patient advocacy organization; champion the patient voice and experience at the corporate level and ensure that patient perspectives are reflected in our thinking and approaches Be responsible for the development of annual patient advocacy and patient engagement plans and execution per therapeutic areas.

Identify, initiate and oversee strategic patient advocacy programs and partnerships related to disease awareness and education, diagnosis, access to appropriate care, and policy advocacy, in collaboration with a cross-functional team Manage local functional budget and oversee grant and sponsorship distribution in Canada Contribute to the company’s evolving philosophy and long-term vision for patient engagement as well as enhance the patient-centric culture within the company Ensure ethically sound and compliant collaboration with patient advocacy groups You will need to have: University degree required 5-10 years of related experience in Public Health & Pharmaceutical Policy, Healthcare, Communications, or Patient Advocacy In-depth knowledge of the rare disease patient advocacy community and stakeholder groups in Canada Understanding of Health Economics / Health Outcomes Research and Health Technology Assessment and the role of patient advocacy therein Deep understanding, or interest in, of the needs and challenges faced by people living with rare diseases including their caregivers Proven track record of successful interactions with patient advocates and patient advocacy groups in Canada Solid knowledge of the medicines lifecycle and how patients and patient advocacy groups can engage with industry at each phase of the lifecycle Agile, excellingin a rapidly changing environment Proven planning and organizational skills with experience managing multiple priorities; ability to prioritize in a shifting environment with a sense of urgency Previous experience in rare disease is strongly preferred Willing to travel Most importantly, a passion for ethical engagement of patients in science The duties of this role are generally conducted in an office environment.

As is typical of an office-based role, employees must be able, with or without an accommodation to: use a computer; engage in communications via phone, video, and electronic messaging; engage in problem solving and non-linear thought, analysis, and dialogue; collaborate with others; maintain general availability during standard business hours.

We would prefer for you to have: Fluent in English, written and spoken.

Working knowledge of French highly desirable Advanced user skills in standard office software applications Alexionis a global biopharmaceutical company focused on serving patients and families affected by rare diseases and devastating conditions through the discovery, development and commercialization of life-changing medicines.

Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Alexion has offices around the globe and serves patients in more than 50 countries.

Furtherinformation about Alexion can be found at: www.alexion.com .

Alexion is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.

We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging where every single person can belong because of their uniqueness.

The Company will not make decisions about employment, training, compensation, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment based on race, color, religion, creed or lackthereof, sex, sexualorientation, age, ancestry, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, marital status,pregnancy, (including childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), parental status (including adoption or surrogacy), military status, protected veteran status, disability, medical condition, gender identity or expression, genetic information, mental illness or other characteristics protected by law.

Alexion provides reasonable accommodations to meet the needs of candidates and employees.

To begin aninteractive dialogue with Alexion regarding an accommodation, please contact accommodationsAlexion.com.

Alexion participates in E-Verify.

AstraZeneca completed its acquisition of Alexion, marking the creation of Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease.

If you’re interested in career opportunities with AstraZeneca, click here .